Dallas police chief David Brown resigns following tumultuous summer

Dallas police chief David Brown resigns following tumultuous summer

David Brown, chief of the Dallas Police Department, is retiring in October; his last day will be October 22.

Brown, who is 55, is going out on a high note. He has been with the department since 1983 but rose to national prominence following a shooting in downtown Dallas in July, when five officers were killed. His resignation came as a surprise to those with whom he worked, as well as the president of Dallas' largest police association, who all told NBC DFW they were shocked by the news.

None received notice, and the announcement prompted many questions and concerns throughout the organization. He'll leave without resolving the issue of pay raises and new hires for the department.

The Dallas Morning News has a fawning piece on his departure with the word "love" in the headline, but ABC News does a more balanced story on some of the friction Brown experienced during his tenure.

At a news conference, Mayor Mike Rawlings and City Manager AC Gonzalez both said Brown is not being forced out.

Assistant Chief David Pughes has been appointed to serve as interim police chief while the department conducts a national search for candidates.

Brown's resignation follows that of Gonzalez, who will retire in January 2017.